Palace: AFP looking into alleged destabilization plot list

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is already looking into the list of alleged destabilizers of the Marcos administration recently disclosed by journalist Ramon Tulfo.

The list was revealed by Tulfo in a Facebook post on Monday, claiming that Vice President Sara Duterte, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, and former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson were financiers of the destabilization plot.

READ: Magalong downplays alleged destabilization plot vs Marcos admin

“According to the AFP, these kinds of statements, although they are on social media, are being passed on to their intelligence community; they are monitoring them and ascertaining the truth,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said at a briefing.

She noted that just because it has been posted on social media does not mean it should be immediately believed.

“That’s up to the intelligence community. If they see something that really deserves attention, our President won’t let it go to waste,” said Castro.

The personalities purportedly involved in the reported destabilization are Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, former Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, retired Gen. Romeo Poquiz, and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong (for confirmation), among others.

Also included in the list are retired military officer Johnny Macanas Sr. and former Bureau of Corrections director Gerald Bantag.

“Don’t ask me where I got the info. I won’t tell even if you squeeze my balls,” he also said in the post.

This was not the first time that issues of destabilization hounded the Marcos administration.

READ: AFP official: No destabilization plot vs Marcos administration

Last December, Batangas 5th District Rep. Marvey Mariño pressed AFP Lt. Gen. Ferdinand Barandon on whether or not there are active plots to destabilize the government among AFP members following the filing of an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

“As for the AFP, there is nothing to worry about. Again, I would like to emphasize, as mentioned by our chief of staff, we’ll be mission-focused and we will abide by duly constituted authority. As [for] the retired officers, I think I’m not in the position to talk about what they are thinking or what they would want to do,” Barandon said. /das